Apple vs. FBI

Its all over the news... The FBI wants Apple Computers to create a backdoor method of unlocking iPhones and other Apple devices for the purpose of evidence gathering in the case related to the San Bernardino terror attack last December. What's at stake here is setting a very dangerous precedent where the government can demand access to our private information, using a master key to unlock information that we thought would be secure because we encrypted and password protected it. While the FBI claims that this is a one-time use on a single device, the same technology and techniques could (and likely would) be used on any number of other Apple devices, and from there could expand to other platforms like Android devices and more. In fact, other law enforcement agencies are already clamoring that they too want this kind of access - there goes the 'one-time use' argument.

Below is the full text of the open letter that Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, release a few days ago. It is in all of our best interest to read and understand the issues at hand here. Once we start giving up bits and pieces of our freedoms, rights and protections, especially from excessive government meddling in our personal lives, we start down an ever increasing slippery slope towards tyranny and oppression. We have but to recall names like Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Hitler, Ho Chi Minh, Pol Pot, Kim Jong-Il, Idi Amin Dada, Mao Zedong and Saddam Hussein to conjure up images of the kind of world this could ultimately lead to. Some might say that this is extreme thinking, but history has of way of repeating itself if we fail to learn from it.

Open Letter on FBI Court Ruling from Apple CEO Tim Cook

A Message to Our Customers

The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.

This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake.

The Need for Encryption

Smartphones, led by iPhone, have become an essential part of our lives. People use them to store an incredible amount of personal information, from our private conversations to our photos, our music, our notes, our calendars and contacts, our financial information and health data, even where we have been and where we are going.

All that information needs to be protected from hackers and criminals who want to access it, steal it, and use it without our knowledge or permission. Customers expect Apple and other technology companies to do everything in our power to protect their personal information, and at Apple we are deeply committed to safeguarding their data.

Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us.

For many years, we have used encryption to protect our customers' personal data because we believe it's the only way to keep their information safe. We have even put that data out of our own reach, because we believe the contents of your iPhone are none of our business.

The San Bernardino Case

We were shocked and outraged by the deadly act of terrorism in San Bernardino last December. We mourn the loss of life and want justice for all those whose lives were affected. The FBI asked us for help in the days following the attack, and we have worked hard to support the government's efforts to solve this horrible crime. We have no sympathy for terrorists.

When the FBI has requested data that's in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we've offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.

We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone.

Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession.

The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.

The Threat to Data Security

Some would argue that building a backdoor for just one iPhone is a simple, clean-cut solution. But it ignores both the basics of digital security and the significance of what the government is demanding in this case.

In today's digital world, the "key" to an encrypted system is a piece of information that unlocks the data, and it is only as secure as the protections around it. Once the information is known, or a way to bypass the code is revealed, the encryption can be defeated by anyone with that knowledge.

The government suggests this tool could only be used once, on one phone. But that's simply not true. Once created, the technique could be used over and over again, on any number of devices. In the physical world, it would be the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks — from restaurants and banks to stores and homes. No reasonable person would find that acceptable.

The government is asking Apple to hack our own users and undermine decades of security advancements that protect our customers — including tens of millions of American citizens — from sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals. The same engineers who built strong encryption into the iPhone to protect our users would, ironically, be ordered to weaken those protections and make our users less safe.

We can find no precedent for an American company being forced to expose its customers to a greater risk of attack. For years, cryptologists and national security experts have been warning against weakening encryption. Doing so would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data. Criminals and bad actors will still encrypt, using tools that are readily available to them.

A Dangerous Precedent

Rather than asking for legislative action through Congress, the FBI is proposing an unprecedented use of the All Writs Act of 1789 to justify an expansion of its authority.

The government would have us remove security features and add new capabilities to the operating system, allowing a passcode to be input electronically. This would make it easier to unlock an iPhone by "brute force," trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer.

The implications of the government's demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone's device to capture their data. The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone's microphone or camera without your knowledge.

Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.

We are challenging the FBI's demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.

While we believe the FBI's intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.

Dallas Family Lawyer - Bankruptcy & Mediation

iComEx has launched the new redesigned Rita Boyd Attorney & Mediator at Law website. It looks great Rita and we are so excited to see the website deliver all the services you have available to provide for the Dallas Ft. Worth community. For those new clients, Call Rita Boyd about your case . . . She will listen.

Rita M. Boyd has been practicing law in Texas since 1992. Over 90% of her practice is Family Law*, in addition to Bankruptcy* and Mediation Services. If you have found yourself in the postion of needing an attorney to help you with a divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, protective orders or other Family Law issues, especially if you need immediate attention, call Rita - she can help you!

As a Family Law Attorney, Rita Boyd has adopted a non-adversarial approach to handling divorce. By keeping focus the on on maintaining long-term family relationships and putting your children's best interests at the forefront, Rita is able to help many couples settle their disputes privately. When possible, Rita also attempts to not involve a judge who could impose decisions on you that do not meet your children's needs. Rita's approach usually results in a unique settlement that really does address the interests and concerns of all parties involved.

Areas Of Legal Practice

Rita Boyd provides legal services in the areas of:

Family Law

Divorce

Child Custody

Bankruptcy

Mediation Services

Rita Boyd is licensed to practice law throughout the State of Texas, handling family law cases, bankruptcies and mediations mostly within the great Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex and the surrounding areas in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Kaufman and Ellis counties. Conveniently located on Keller Springs Road, just west of the North Dallas Tollway, Rita's office is a comfortable place to discuss situation. Contact us online or call 972-380-8000 to schedule a consultation.

Welcome F & I Pawn Shop to the iComEx Family. We are very excited that you have selected us for your website needs. We look forward to a wonderful business relationship.

F&I Pawn Shop is a locally owned and operated shop in Sherman and Denison Texas. The two shops operate on collateral loans up to 10,000 dollars. Loans are written for 30-days and then allowed 30 days of grace. We take anything of value!

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We are a local Gold and Silver Exchange. We buy and sale gold, silver coins, gold or silver bullion, watches and Antique Jewelry!

The legacy of loaning money for collateral has been passed down from generation to generation. John Sofey, Innette Marr’s grandfather came to America from EL Mira, Syria around 1900. He pursued many interests to support his family. John became a lender instead of a borrower, lending money anything from a dime to five dollars. He always kept collateral for these loans, sometimes holding the borrowers shoes. During his life, John helped other Syrian-Lebanese immigrants by lending money to begin business. Innette’s grandfather was an example of millions of successful immigrants that came to America.

Three Locations To Serve You Better

iComEx is proud to launch the new Texas Resbaurant Equipment Website. Texas Restaurant Equipment is a leading auctioneer of New and Used Restaurant Equipment in the Foodservice Industry. With 3 locations to serve the restaurant industry with commercial kitchen equipment, please visit the showrooms in Dallas, Houston and Irving. We look forward to working with you in the coming years.

Texas Restaurant Equipment is a family owned and operated company bringing more than 35 years of combined experience in the restaurant, food service and related industries to the internet sales marketplace. Texas Restaurant Equipment offers a wide variety of quality, new and used restaurant equipment, kitchen supplies, furniture and decor.

Texas Restaurant Equipment buys and sells restaurant equipment in Texas and nationwide, with inventory arriving on a daily basis. This inventory is made available to you through our online catalogue. Whether you need to buy or sell one piece, or the contents of an entire restaurant, Texas Restaurant Equipment is your resource for late-model restaurant, bakery and bar equipment. Call today to speak with a restaurant equipment specialist.

Welcome To The New Brainstyles Website

Welcome to The New Brainstyles website. Marlene Miller, Author, Developer and Researcher of The BrainStyles System®, Founder of the international Licensing organization, BrainStyles, Inc. says"I invite you to explore our web site. Learn how BrainStyles was born in a business setting instead of a classroom. Explore how you can get behind behaviors and appearances to the gifts beneath. No more tricks or communication techniques, just you being you at your best, using your natural brainstyle."

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Go beyond personality types and self-help books. Redefine yourself from within. Start by learning about and then applying your natural, hardwired brainstyle™ to grow as a leader, build teams naturally without long lists of behavioral descriptions, while you reduce stress and conflict.

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We welcome all of you in the Brainstyles company to the iComEx family and look forward to working with each one of you in the years to come. Thank you for choosing iComEx as your website developer! It's a wonderful vote of confidence for us.